Airworthiness Directives; Airbus Model A318, A319, A320, and A321 Series Airplanes, 10342-10344 [05-4079]
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10342
Federal Register / Vol. 70, No. 41 / Thursday, March 3, 2005 / Proposed Rules
Service Bulletins
(f) The term ‘‘Airbus service bulletin,’’ as
used in this AD, means the Accomplishment
Instructions of the applicable service bulletin
in Table 2 of this AD.
TABLE 2.—AIRBUS SERVICE BULLETINS
For Model—
Airbus service bulletin—
(1) A300–600 series airplanes .................................................................
(2) A310 series airplanes .........................................................................
(3) A300 B2–203 and B4–203 series airplanes .......................................
(g) Each Airbus service bulletin in Table 2
of this AD refers to the Thales Avionics
A300–34A6145, Revision 01, dated October 17, 2003.
A310–34A2178, Revision 01, dated October 17, 2003.
A300–34A0173, Revision 01, dated December 18, 2003.
service bulletins in Table 3 of this AD as
additional sources of service information for
accomplishing the inspection and
replacement if necessary.
TABLE 3.—THALES AVIONICS SERVICE BULLETINS
Thales Avionics service bulletin—
(1)
(2)
(3)
(4)
(5)
(6)
(7)
(8)
354–34–051
354–34–053
520–34–014
520–34–015
520–34–016
520–34–017
528–34–006
528–34–007
.................................................................................................................................................
.................................................................................................................................................
.................................................................................................................................................
.................................................................................................................................................
.................................................................................................................................................
.................................................................................................................................................
.................................................................................................................................................
.................................................................................................................................................
Inspection and Replacement
(h) Within 6 months after the effective date
of this AD, do an inspection to determine if
the suspect P/Ns and serial number (S/N) of
the Thales Avionics equipment is installed,
in accordance with the Airbus service
bulletin. If any suspect P/N and S/N is found,
within 6 months after the effective date of
this AD, replace the suspect part with a
modified part having a new P/N, in
accordance with the Airbus service bulletin.
Parts Installation
(i) As of the effective date of this AD, no
person may install any Thales Avionics
equipment specified in Table 1 of this AD on
any airplane.
Reporting Requirement
(j) Within 6 months after the effective date
of this AD, submit a report of all P/Ns and
S/N of overhauled equipment found during
the inspection required by paragraph (h) of
this AD to Airbus, 1 Rond Point Maurice
Bellonte, 31707 Blagnac Cedex, France; fax
011–33–561934251. Information collection
requirements contained in this AD have been
approved by the Office of Management and
Budget (OMB) under the provisions of the
Paperwork Reduction Act of 1980 (44 U.S.C.
3501 et seq.) and have been assigned OMB
Control Number 2120–0056.
Alternative Methods of Compliance
(AMOCs)
(k) The Manager, International Branch,
ANM–116, Transport Airplane Directorate,
FAA, has the authority to approve AMOCs
for this AD, if requested in accordance with
the procedures found in 14 CFR 39.19.
Related Information
(l) French airworthiness directive F–2004–
037, issued March 17, 2004, also addresses
the subject of this AD.
VerDate jul<14>2003
Revision—
15:01 Mar 02, 2005
Jkt 205001
Issued in Renton, Washington, on February
18, 2005.
Ali Bahrami,
Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate,
Aircraft Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 05–4078 Filed 3–2–05; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910–13–P
DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. FAA–2005–20453; Directorate
Identifier 2004–NM–270–AD]
RIN 2120–AA64
Airworthiness Directives; Airbus Model
A318, A319, A320, and A321 Series
Airplanes
Federal Aviation
Administration (FAA), Department of
Transportation (DOT).
ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking
(NPRM).
AGENCY:
SUMMARY: The FAA proposes to adopt a
new airworthiness directive (AD) for
certain Airbus Model A318, A319,
A320, and A321 series airplanes. This
proposed AD would require replacing
the water drain valves in the forward
and aft cargo doors with new valves.
This proposed AD is prompted by a
report indicating that, during a test of
the fire extinguishing system, air
leakage through the water drain valves
in the forward and aft cargo doors
PO 00000
Frm 00006
Fmt 4702
Sfmt 4702
03
02
04
04
03
03
03
02
Dated—
October 13, 2003.
October 10, 2003.
April 22, 2004.
July 1, 2004.
November 20, 2003.
July 1, 2004.
June 29, 2004.
October 10, 2003.
reduced the concentration of fire
extinguishing agent to below the level
required to suppress a fire. We are
proposing this AD to prevent air leakage
through the water drain valves, which,
in the event of a fire in the forward or
aft cargo compartment, could result in
an insufficient concentration of fire
extinguishing agent and consequent
inability of the fire extinguishing system
to suppress the fire.
DATES: We must receive comments on
this proposed AD by April 4, 2005.
ADDRESSES: Use one of the following
addresses to submit comments on this
proposed AD.
• DOT Docket Web site: Go to
https://dms.dot.gov and follow the
instructions for sending your comments
electronically.
• Government-wide rulemaking Web
site: Go to https://www.regulations.gov
and follow the instructions for sending
your comments electronically.
• Mail: Docket Management Facility,
U.S. Department of Transportation, 400
Seventh Street SW., Nassif Building,
room PL–401, Washington, DC 20590.
• By fax: (202) 493–2251.
• Hand Delivery: Room PL–401 on
the plaza level of the Nassif Building,
400 Seventh Street SW., Washington,
DC, between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday
through Friday, except Federal holidays.
For service information identified in
this proposed AD, contact Airbus, 1
Rond Point Maurice Bellonte, 31707
Blagnac Cedex, France.
You can examine the contents of this
AD docket on the Internet at https://
E:\FR\FM\03MRP1.SGM
03MRP1
Federal Register / Vol. 70, No. 41 / Thursday, March 3, 2005 / Proposed Rules
dms.dot.gov, or in person at the Docket
Management Facility, U.S. Department
of Transportation, 400 Seventh Street
SW, room PL–401, on the plaza level of
the Nassif Building, Washington, DC.
This docket number is FAA–2005–
20453; the directorate identifier for this
docket is 2004–NM–270–AD.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Tim
Dulin, Aerospace Engineer,
International Branch, ANM–116, FAA,
Transport Airplane Directorate, 1601
Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington
98055–4056; telephone (425) 227–2141;
fax (425) 227–1149.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Comments Invited
We invite you to submit any relevant
written data, views, or arguments
regarding this proposed AD. Send your
comments to an address listed under
ADDRESSES. Include ‘‘Docket No. FAA–
2005–20453; Directorate Identifier
2004–NM–270–AD’’ at the beginning of
your comments. We specifically invite
comments on the overall regulatory,
economic, environmental, and energy
aspects of the proposed AD. We will
consider all comments submitted by the
closing date and may amend the
proposed AD in light of those
comments.
We will post all comments we
receive, without change, to https://
dms.dot.gov, including any personal
information you provide. We will also
post a report summarizing each
substantive verbal contact with FAA
personnel concerning this proposed AD.
Using the search function of our docket
Web site, anyone can find and read the
comments in any of our dockets,
including the name of the individual
who sent the comment (or signed the
comment on behalf of an association,
business, labor union, etc.). You can
review the DOT’s complete Privacy Act
Statement in the Federal Register
published on April 11, 2000 (65 FR
19477–78), or you can visit https://
dms.dot.gov.
Examining the Docket
You can examine the AD docket on
the Internet at https://dms.dot.gov, or in
person at the Docket Management
Facility office between 9 a.m. and 5
p.m., Monday through Friday, except
Federal holidays. The Docket
Management Facility office (telephone
(800) 647–5227) is located on the plaza
level of the Nassif Building at the DOT
street address stated in the ADDRESSES
section. Comments will be available in
the AD docket shortly after the DMS
receives them.
VerDate jul<14>2003
12:11 Mar 02, 2005
Jkt 205001
Discussion
´ ´
The Direction Generale de l’Aviation
Civile (DGAC), which is the
airworthiness authority for France,
notified us that an unsafe condition may
exist on certain Airbus Model A318,
A319, A320, and A321 series airplanes.
The DGAC advises that a test of the fire
containment capability of the forward
and aft cargo compartments was
performed on a Model A319 series
airplane. The test revealed that the
concentration of the halon fire
extinguishing agent decreased below the
level required to suppress a fire.
Investigation revealed that the drop in
concentration of halon was due to too
high a rate of air renewal in the
compartment. Further investigation
revealed that air leakage through the
water drain valves in the forward and
aft cargo doors and around the aft cargo
temperature sensor contributed to the
reduced concentration of halon. The air
leakage allowed the halon to leak out of
the compartment, and the remaining
concentration of halon was insufficient
to suppress a fire. Water drain valves
not reaching the differential pressure
necessary to attain the closure set point
caused the air leakage through the water
drain valves. In the event of a fire in the
forward or aft cargo compartment, air
leakage through the water drain valves,
if not corrected, could result in an
insufficient concentration of fire
extinguishing agent and consequent
inability of the fire extinguishing system
to suppress the fire.
The water drain valves installed in
forward and aft cargo doors on the
Model A318, A320, and A321 series
airplanes are identical to those on the
affected Model A319 series airplanes.
Therefore, all of these models may be
subject to the same unsafe condition.
Other Related Rulemaking
The DGAC has issued French
airworthiness directive F–2004–123,
dated July 21, 2004, to address air
leakage around the aft cargo temperature
sensor; we are planning to address the
unsafe condition of that French
airworthiness directive with a separate
rulemaking action.
Relevant Service Information
Airbus has issued Service Bulletin
A320–52–1124, dated May 6, 2004. The
service bulletin describes procedures for
replacing the water drain valves in the
forward and aft cargo doors with new
valves that close at a lower differential
pressure. Accomplishing the actions
specified in the service information is
intended to adequately address the
unsafe condition. The DGAC mandated
PO 00000
Frm 00007
Fmt 4702
Sfmt 4702
10343
the service information and issued
French airworthiness directive F–2004–
172, dated October 27, 2004, to ensure
the continued airworthiness of these
airplanes in France.
FAA’s Determination and Requirements
of the Proposed AD
These airplane models are
manufactured in France and are type
certificated for operation in the United
States under the provisions of section
21.29 of the Federal Aviation
Regulations (14 CFR 21.29) and the
applicable bilateral airworthiness
agreement. Pursuant to this bilateral
airworthiness agreement, the DGAC has
kept the FAA informed of the situation
described above. We have examined the
DGAC’s findings, evaluated all pertinent
information, and determined that we
need to issue an AD for products of this
type design that are certificated for
operation in the United States.
Therefore, we are proposing this AD,
which would require accomplishing the
actions specified in the service
information described previously.
Costs of Compliance
This proposed AD would affect about
434 airplanes of U.S. registry. The
proposed actions would take about 3 to
5 work hours per airplane, depending
on airplane configuration, at an average
labor rate of $65 per work hour.
Required parts would cost about $120 to
$200 per airplane, depending on
airplane configuration. Based on these
figures, the estimated cost of the
proposed AD for U.S. operators is
between $136,710 and $227,850, or
between $315 and $525 per airplane.
Authority for This Rulemaking
Title 49 of the United States Code
specifies the FAA’s authority to issue
rules on aviation safety. Subtitle I,
Section 106, describes the authority of
the FAA Administrator. Subtitle VII,
Aviation Programs, describes in more
detail the scope of the Agency’s
authority.
We are issuing this rulemaking under
the authority described in Subtitle VII,
Part A, Subpart III, Section 44701,
‘‘General requirements.’’ Under that
section, Congress charges the FAA with
promoting safe flight of civil aircraft in
air commerce by prescribing regulations
for practices, methods, and procedures
the Administrator finds necessary for
safety in air commerce. This regulation
is within the scope of that authority
because it addresses an unsafe condition
that is likely to exist or develop on
products identified in this rulemaking
action.
E:\FR\FM\03MRP1.SGM
03MRP1
10344
Federal Register / Vol. 70, No. 41 / Thursday, March 3, 2005 / Proposed Rules
Regulatory Findings
We have determined that this
proposed AD would not have federalism
implications under Executive Order
13132. This proposed AD would not
have a substantial direct effect on the
States, on the relationship between the
national Government and the States, or
on the distribution of power and
responsibilities among the various
levels of government.
For the reasons discussed above, I
certify that the proposed regulation:
1. Is not a ‘‘significant regulatory
action’’ under Executive Order 12866;
2. Is not a ‘‘significant rule’’ under the
DOT Regulatory Policies and Procedures
(44 FR 11034, February 26, 1979); and
3. Will not have a significant
economic impact, positive or negative,
on a substantial number of small entities
under the criteria of the Regulatory
Flexibility Act.
We prepared a regulatory evaluation
of the estimated costs to comply with
this proposed AD. See the ADDRESSES
section for a location to examine the
regulatory evaluation.
List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 39
Air transportation, Aircraft, Aviation
safety, Safety.
The Proposed Amendment
Accordingly, under the authority
delegated to me by the Administrator,
the FAA proposes to amend 14 CFR part
39 as follows:
Authority: 49 U.S.C. 106(g), 40113, 44701.
§ 39.13
[Amended]
2. The FAA amends § 39.13 by adding
the following new airworthiness
directive (AD):
Airbus: Docket No. FAA–2005–20453;
Directorate Identifier 2004–NM–270–AD.
Comments Due Date
(a) The Federal Aviation Administration
must receive comments on this AD action by
April 4, 2005.
Affected ADs
(b) None.
Applicability
PART 39—AIRWORTHINESS
DIRECTIVES
1. The authority citation for part 39
continues to read as follows:
(c) This AD applies to Airbus Model A318,
A319, A320, and A321 series airplanes,
certificated in any category, as listed in Table
1 of this AD.
TABLE 1.—APPLICABILITY
Airbus model—
A318
A319
A320
A321
series
series
series
series
Having the following Airbus modification
installed in production—
Or the following Airbus service bulletin
incorporated in service—
airplanes
airplanes
airplanes
airplanes
Not applicable ..........................................
25642 or 26213 .......................................
26213 or 26603 .......................................
26213 or 26603 .......................................
Not applicable ..........................................
A320–52–1088 ........................................
A320–52–1088 ........................................
A320–52–1088 ........................................
..............................
..............................
..............................
..............................
Unsafe Condition
(d) This AD was prompted by a report
indicating that, during a test of the fire
extinguishing system, air leakage through the
water drain valves in the forward and aft
cargo doors reduced the concentration of fire
extinguishing agent to below the level
required to suppress a fire. We are issuing
this AD to prevent air leakage through the
water drain valves, which, in the event of a
fire in the forward or aft cargo compartment,
could result in an insufficient concentration
of fire extinguishing agent and consequent
inability of the fire extinguishing system to
suppress the fire.
Compliance
(e) You are responsible for having the
actions required by this AD performed within
the compliance times specified, unless the
actions have already been done.
Replacement of Water Drain Valves
(f) Within 6 months after the effective date
of this AD, replace the water drain valves in
the forward and aft cargo doors with new
valves that close at a lower differential
pressure, by doing all of the applicable
actions specified in the Accomplishment
Instructions of Airbus Service Bulletin A320–
52–1124, dated May 6, 2004.
Alternative Methods of Compliance
(AMOCs)
(g) The Manager, International Branch,
ANM–116, Transport Airplane Directorate,
VerDate jul<14>2003
12:11 Mar 02, 2005
Jkt 205001
But not having
the following
Airbus
modification
installed in
production—
33232
33232
33232
33232
FAA, has the authority to approve AMOCs
for this AD, if requested in accordance with
the procedures found in 14 CFR 39.19.
ACTION:
Related Information
(h) French airworthiness directive F–2004–
172, dated October 27, 2004, also addresses
the subject of this AD.
SUMMARY: The FAA proposes to adopt a
new airworthiness directive (AD) for
certain Boeing Model 757–200, –200PF,
and –300 series airplanes. This
proposed AD would require inspecting
for damage of the ground brackets,
ground wires, and terminal lugs of the
auxiliary power unit (APU) battery and
the APU start transformer rectifier unit
(TRU) as applicable; and corrective and
related investigative actions. This
proposed AD is prompted by reports
indicating that, during inspections on
two airplanes, the ground brackets for
the APU battery were found damaged.
We are proposing this AD to detect and
correct a damaged electrical bonding
surface of the APU battery and APU
start TRU ground connections, which
could cause overheating of the ground
connections and lead to possible
consequent ignition of the adjacent
insulating blankets.
Issued in Renton, Washington, on February
22, 2005.
Ali Bahrami,
Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate,
Aircraft Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 05–4079 Filed 3–2–05; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910–13–P
DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. FAA–2005–20473; Directorate
Identifier 2004–NM–156–AD]
RIN 2120–AA64
Airworthiness Directives; Boeing
Model 757–200, –200PF, and –300
Series Airplanes
Federal Aviation
Administration (FAA), Department of
Transportation (DOT).
AGENCY:
PO 00000
Frm 00008
Fmt 4702
Sfmt 4702
Notice of proposed rulemaking
(NPRM).
We must receive comments on
this proposed AD by April 18, 2005.
DATES:
Use one of the following
addresses to submit comments on this
proposed AD.
ADDRESSES:
E:\FR\FM\03MRP1.SGM
03MRP1
]]>Agencies
[Federal Register Volume 70, Number 41 (Thursday, March 3, 2005)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 10342-10344]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 05-4079]
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. FAA-2005-20453; Directorate Identifier 2004-NM-270-AD]
RIN 2120-AA64
Airworthiness Directives; Airbus Model A318, A319, A320, and A321
Series Airplanes
AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), Department of
Transportation (DOT).
ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM).
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
SUMMARY: The FAA proposes to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD)
for certain Airbus Model A318, A319, A320, and A321 series airplanes.
This proposed AD would require replacing the water drain valves in the
forward and aft cargo doors with new valves. This proposed AD is
prompted by a report indicating that, during a test of the fire
extinguishing system, air leakage through the water drain valves in the
forward and aft cargo doors reduced the concentration of fire
extinguishing agent to below the level required to suppress a fire. We
are proposing this AD to prevent air leakage through the water drain
valves, which, in the event of a fire in the forward or aft cargo
compartment, could result in an insufficient concentration of fire
extinguishing agent and consequent inability of the fire extinguishing
system to suppress the fire.
DATES: We must receive comments on this proposed AD by April 4, 2005.
ADDRESSES: Use one of the following addresses to submit comments on
this proposed AD.
DOT Docket Web site: Go to https://dms.dot.gov and follow
the instructions for sending your comments electronically.
Government-wide rulemaking Web site: Go to https://
www.regulations.gov and follow the instructions for sending your
comments electronically.
Mail: Docket Management Facility, U.S. Department of
Transportation, 400 Seventh Street SW., Nassif Building, room PL-401,
Washington, DC 20590.
By fax: (202) 493-2251.
Hand Delivery: Room PL-401 on the plaza level of the
Nassif Building, 400 Seventh Street SW., Washington, DC, between 9 a.m.
and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays.
For service information identified in this proposed AD, contact
Airbus, 1 Rond Point Maurice Bellonte, 31707 Blagnac Cedex, France.
You can examine the contents of this AD docket on the Internet at
https://
[[Page 10343]]
dms.dot.gov, or in person at the Docket Management Facility, U.S.
Department of Transportation, 400 Seventh Street SW, room PL-401, on
the plaza level of the Nassif Building, Washington, DC. This docket
number is FAA-2005-20453; the directorate identifier for this docket is
2004-NM-270-AD.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Tim Dulin, Aerospace Engineer,
International Branch, ANM-116, FAA, Transport Airplane Directorate,
1601 Lind Avenue, SW., Renton, Washington 98055-4056; telephone (425)
227-2141; fax (425) 227-1149.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Comments Invited
We invite you to submit any relevant written data, views, or
arguments regarding this proposed AD. Send your comments to an address
listed under ADDRESSES. Include ``Docket No. FAA-2005-20453;
Directorate Identifier 2004-NM-270-AD'' at the beginning of your
comments. We specifically invite comments on the overall regulatory,
economic, environmental, and energy aspects of the proposed AD. We will
consider all comments submitted by the closing date and may amend the
proposed AD in light of those comments.
We will post all comments we receive, without change, to https://
dms.dot.gov, including any personal information you provide. We will
also post a report summarizing each substantive verbal contact with FAA
personnel concerning this proposed AD. Using the search function of our
docket Web site, anyone can find and read the comments in any of our
dockets, including the name of the individual who sent the comment (or
signed the comment on behalf of an association, business, labor union,
etc.). You can review the DOT's complete Privacy Act Statement in the
Federal Register published on April 11, 2000 (65 FR 19477-78), or you
can visit https://dms.dot.gov.
Examining the Docket
You can examine the AD docket on the Internet at https://
dms.dot.gov, or in person at the Docket Management Facility office
between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal
holidays. The Docket Management Facility office (telephone (800) 647-
5227) is located on the plaza level of the Nassif Building at the DOT
street address stated in the ADDRESSES section. Comments will be
available in the AD docket shortly after the DMS receives them.
Discussion
The Direction G[eacute]n[eacute]rale de l'Aviation Civile (DGAC),
which is the airworthiness authority for France, notified us that an
unsafe condition may exist on certain Airbus Model A318, A319, A320,
and A321 series airplanes. The DGAC advises that a test of the fire
containment capability of the forward and aft cargo compartments was
performed on a Model A319 series airplane. The test revealed that the
concentration of the halon fire extinguishing agent decreased below the
level required to suppress a fire. Investigation revealed that the drop
in concentration of halon was due to too high a rate of air renewal in
the compartment. Further investigation revealed that air leakage
through the water drain valves in the forward and aft cargo doors and
around the aft cargo temperature sensor contributed to the reduced
concentration of halon. The air leakage allowed the halon to leak out
of the compartment, and the remaining concentration of halon was
insufficient to suppress a fire. Water drain valves not reaching the
differential pressure necessary to attain the closure set point caused
the air leakage through the water drain valves. In the event of a fire
in the forward or aft cargo compartment, air leakage through the water
drain valves, if not corrected, could result in an insufficient
concentration of fire extinguishing agent and consequent inability of
the fire extinguishing system to suppress the fire.
The water drain valves installed in forward and aft cargo doors on
the Model A318, A320, and A321 series airplanes are identical to those
on the affected Model A319 series airplanes. Therefore, all of these
models may be subject to the same unsafe condition.
Other Related Rulemaking
The DGAC has issued French airworthiness directive F-2004-123,
dated July 21, 2004, to address air leakage around the aft cargo
temperature sensor; we are planning to address the unsafe condition of
that French airworthiness directive with a separate rulemaking action.
Relevant Service Information
Airbus has issued Service Bulletin A320-52-1124, dated May 6, 2004.
The service bulletin describes procedures for replacing the water drain
valves in the forward and aft cargo doors with new valves that close at
a lower differential pressure. Accomplishing the actions specified in
the service information is intended to adequately address the unsafe
condition. The DGAC mandated the service information and issued French
airworthiness directive F-2004-172, dated October 27, 2004, to ensure
the continued airworthiness of these airplanes in France.
FAA's Determination and Requirements of the Proposed AD
These airplane models are manufactured in France and are type
certificated for operation in the United States under the provisions of
section 21.29 of the Federal Aviation Regulations (14 CFR 21.29) and
the applicable bilateral airworthiness agreement. Pursuant to this
bilateral airworthiness agreement, the DGAC has kept the FAA informed
of the situation described above. We have examined the DGAC's findings,
evaluated all pertinent information, and determined that we need to
issue an AD for products of this type design that are certificated for
operation in the United States.
Therefore, we are proposing this AD, which would require
accomplishing the actions specified in the service information
described previously.
Costs of Compliance
This proposed AD would affect about 434 airplanes of U.S. registry.
The proposed actions would take about 3 to 5 work hours per airplane,
depending on airplane configuration, at an average labor rate of $65
per work hour. Required parts would cost about $120 to $200 per
airplane, depending on airplane configuration. Based on these figures,
the estimated cost of the proposed AD for U.S. operators is between
$136,710 and $227,850, or between $315 and $525 per airplane.
Authority for This Rulemaking
Title 49 of the United States Code specifies the FAA's authority to
issue rules on aviation safety. Subtitle I, Section 106, describes the
authority of the FAA Administrator. Subtitle VII, Aviation Programs,
describes in more detail the scope of the Agency's authority.
We are issuing this rulemaking under the authority described in
Subtitle VII, Part A, Subpart III, Section 44701, ``General
requirements.'' Under that section, Congress charges the FAA with
promoting safe flight of civil aircraft in air commerce by prescribing
regulations for practices, methods, and procedures the Administrator
finds necessary for safety in air commerce. This regulation is within
the scope of that authority because it addresses an unsafe condition
that is likely to exist or develop on products identified in this
rulemaking action.
[[Page 10344]]
Regulatory Findings
We have determined that this proposed AD would not have federalism
implications under Executive Order 13132. This proposed AD would not
have a substantial direct effect on the States, on the relationship
between the national Government and the States, or on the distribution
of power and responsibilities among the various levels of government.
For the reasons discussed above, I certify that the proposed
regulation:
1. Is not a ``significant regulatory action'' under Executive Order
12866;
2. Is not a ``significant rule'' under the DOT Regulatory Policies
and Procedures (44 FR 11034, February 26, 1979); and
3. Will not have a significant economic impact, positive or
negative, on a substantial number of small entities under the criteria
of the Regulatory Flexibility Act.
We prepared a regulatory evaluation of the estimated costs to
comply with this proposed AD. See the ADDRESSES section for a location
to examine the regulatory evaluation.
List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 39
Air transportation, Aircraft, Aviation safety, Safety.
The Proposed Amendment
Accordingly, under the authority delegated to me by the
Administrator, the FAA proposes to amend 14 CFR part 39 as follows:
PART 39--AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVES
1. The authority citation for part 39 continues to read as follows:
Authority: 49 U.S.C. 106(g), 40113, 44701.
Sec. 39.13 [Amended]
2. The FAA amends Sec. 39.13 by adding the following new
airworthiness directive (AD):
Airbus: Docket No. FAA-2005-20453; Directorate Identifier 2004-NM-
270-AD.
Comments Due Date
(a) The Federal Aviation Administration must receive comments on
this AD action by April 4, 2005.
Affected ADs
(b) None.
Applicability
(c) This AD applies to Airbus Model A318, A319, A320, and A321
series airplanes, certificated in any category, as listed in Table 1
of this AD.
Table 1.--Applicability
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
But not having
the following
Having the following Or the following Airbus Airbus
Airbus model-- Airbus modification service bulletin modification
installed in production-- incorporated in service-- installed in
production--
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
A318 series airplanes................... Not applicable............ Not applicable............ 33232
A319 series airplanes................... 25642 or 26213............ A320-52-1088.............. 33232
A320 series airplanes................... 26213 or 26603............ A320-52-1088.............. 33232
A321 series airplanes................... 26213 or 26603............ A320-52-1088.............. 33232
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Unsafe Condition
(d) This AD was prompted by a report indicating that, during a
test of the fire extinguishing system, air leakage through the water
drain valves in the forward and aft cargo doors reduced the
concentration of fire extinguishing agent to below the level
required to suppress a fire. We are issuing this AD to prevent air
leakage through the water drain valves, which, in the event of a
fire in the forward or aft cargo compartment, could result in an
insufficient concentration of fire extinguishing agent and
consequent inability of the fire extinguishing system to suppress
the fire.
Compliance
(e) You are responsible for having the actions required by this
AD performed within the compliance times specified, unless the
actions have already been done.
Replacement of Water Drain Valves
(f) Within 6 months after the effective date of this AD, replace
the water drain valves in the forward and aft cargo doors with new
valves that close at a lower differential pressure, by doing all of
the applicable actions specified in the Accomplishment Instructions
of Airbus Service Bulletin A320-52-1124, dated May 6, 2004.
Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs)
(g) The Manager, International Branch, ANM-116, Transport
Airplane Directorate, FAA, has the authority to approve AMOCs for
this AD, if requested in accordance with the procedures found in 14
CFR 39.19.
Related Information
(h) French airworthiness directive F-2004-172, dated October 27,
2004, also addresses the subject of this AD.
Issued in Renton, Washington, on February 22, 2005.
Ali Bahrami,
Manager, Transport Airplane Directorate, Aircraft Certification
Service.
[FR Doc. 05-4079 Filed 3-2-05; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P
